05.04.2016.

Pre-release of the documentary film "Serbs on Corfu"

On the occasion of marking the centenary of the landing of the Serbian army in the Ionian islands of Corfu and Vido and the Albanian Golgotha, a pre-release of the documentary film "Serbs on Corfu - A hundred years since the Albanian Golgotha" was screened tonight in the Guards Club in Topcider.

The screening was attended by Defence Minister Zoran Djordjevic, Minister of Labour, Employment, Veteran and Social Affairs Aleksandar Vulin, State Secretary in the Ministry of Defence Nenad Neric, representatives of the Government of the Republic of Serbia, the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces, diplomatic corps and the media.

Recalling the great ordeal of the Serbian people and the Serbian contribution to the Allied victory in First World War, State Secretary Neric said that at that time 240 thousand lives were lost through hunger, cold and disease and the survivors found rescue on the Greek island of Corfu.

- That heroism laid down in honour of the fatherland for the freedom of Serbia, which gave its victories for better Europe, to which we sincerely aspire today, is a warning and encouragement for the descendants to preserve what they have, to preserve Serbia and, by creation and honesty, to build a better future and a valuable legacy for future generations. Our military, modern Serbian Armed Forces, makes it in the best possible way, keeping our security, contributing to peace in the world, and standing first by its people in the most difficult moments – State Secretary Neric said.

As pointed out by Minister Vulin, the audience was able tonight to view the story of Serbs in Corfu, their courage, loyalty and keeping the oath, exactly one century ago.

- Anyone who knows the Serbs, knows two things – one is that the Serbs value freedom above all, and that freedom is the only thing they are not willing to give up at any price, and the other – that nothing is created faster than the Serbian army. It is necessary to give them a commander who they love and respect, the value to defend, and they know that it is called freedom, and there is the most powerful army in the world, which exists as long as what they defend exists – freedom. Such are the Serbs! - Minister Vulin said.

Speaking about the significance of the mentioned creation, the editor of the cultural and artistic programme of Serbian Broadcasting Corporation Nebojsa Bradic pointed out that this film was special because it addresses the tragic days when the horror, despair and eternal heroism marked the tragic saga of the Serbian people, but, as he added, in Corfu there happened a miracle because the Serbian army was raised from the ashes and set off to what is called the "resurrection of Serbia".

The documentary film "Serbs on Corfu - A hundred years since the Albanian Golgotha" was realized in co-production of Serbian Broadcasting Corporation (SBC), the Ministry of Labour, Employment, Veteran and Social Affairs and the Ministry of Defence.

The author of the film is Sladjana Zaric, director Ivana Stevens, director of photography Petar Vujanic, and the producer of the film is Snezana Rodic Sindjelic. "Serbs on Corfu" follows the movements of the Serbian army during the retreat in 1915/16, over Albania to the Greek island of Corfu, its recovery and preparations for the liberation of Serbia in the First World War. The film story, supported by the documents and archival photographs that have not been seen yet, evokes through the facts and emotions a heroic time of suffering and resurrection of the Serbian army, loyal to the greatest personal sacrifice of its members for freedom of the people and the fatherland.

The film presents new and previously unreleased photos and video material that was recorded by the Allied armies (France, UK and Italy) during the stay of the Serbian army in Albania and its evacuation to the Greek island of Corfu. All the sufferings, horrors and tragedies that struck the Serbian state in those days, were told and shown at authentic locations in Serbia, Montenegro, Albania and Greece.